Iowa high school boys’ basketball 2021-22: 16 area players to watch

Sixteen top area returners for the 2021-22 Iowa high school boys’ basketball season.

Padraig Gallagher, 6-4, junior, Dyersville Beckman — Really stepped up his game when leading scorer Mason White went down with a knee injury. Helped the Blazers reach thestate tournament in Class 2A, averaging 13.6 points and 5.5 rebounds. Second-team all-state.

Kaiden Hall, 6-3, senior, English Valleys — First-team all-South Iowa Cedar League and with good reason. Averaged a double-double of 19.7 points and 12.9 rebounds per game for an EV team that had a winning record for the first time in 22 years.

Carter Harmsen, 6-4, senior, Mid-Prairie — Unanimous first-team all-conference in the River Valley. Third-team all-stater in 2A. Forward averaged 18.3 points and just shy of 7 rebounds per game.

Tate Haughenbury, 6-3, junior, North Linn — Second-team 1A all-state. Springy inside player averaged 15.6 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. Shot 65.2 percent from the field.

Austin Hilmer, 5-10, senior, North Linn — Four-year varsity regular, three-year starter, Upper Iowa signee, first-team all-state in 1A last season, when he averaged 17.3 points and led the state in steals. Was second in the state in assists (7.7 per game).

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Michael Kascel, 6-6, senior, Independence — Unanimous all-Wamac Conference pick last season whom his coach said is a legit West Division player of the year candidate this season. Averaged 10.3 points and 8.5 rebounds last season, including a school-record 22 in one game. Shot 61.6 percent from two-point range.

Brayson Laube, 6-2, junior, Marion — Super shooter averaged 15.5 points, shooting 44.1 percent from 3-point land. Third-team all-state in 3A.

Carson Lienau, 6-4, senior, Jesup — Second-team all-state in 2A. Averaged 18.4 points and 9.7 rebounds. Shot 65 percent from the field.

Pete Moe, 6-9, senior, Iowa City West — Averaged 21.9 points and 8.5 rebounds last season. Second-team all-state in Class 4A. Son of former Iowa Hawkeyes guard Jeff Moe. Family moved to Iowa City last year from the Indianapolis area.

Jamari Newson, 6-2, senior, Iowa City High — Will be a three-year starter. Guard averaged 10.8 points and 6.8 rebounds last season. Second-team all-MVC player.

Kenzie Reed, 5-10, junior, Cedar Rapids Kennedy — This will be his third year starting at the point. Led Class 4A in assists last season (5.8 per game), as well as 9.9 points. First-team all-Mississippi Valley Conference.

Traijan Sain, 6-4, junior, Cedar Rapids Washington — Will be a third-year starter. Long, athletic wing player averaged 11.8 points and 6.6 rebounds last season. Potential D-I college player.

Jake Walter, 5-10, senior, Cedar Rapids Prairie — Averaged 16 points per game last season. Catalyst for what should be a very good Prairie team. First-team all-MVC Mississippi Division player.

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Brody Ward, 6-1, senior, Iowa Valley — Leading returning scorer in the area. Averaged 23 points per game last season, along with 5.3 rebounds, 3.5 steals and 2.3 assists. Third-team all-stater in 1A.

Aidan Yamilkoski, 6-3, junior, Cedar Rapids Xavier — Wing guard led the Saints in scoring last season at 11 points per game. Also averaged 4.4 rebounds. Heavy presence on the AAU circuit.

Jaxson Young, 6-2, senior, Linn-Mar — Leading scorer last season for the Lions (11.2 ppg). Also 4.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists. Second-team all-MVC Mississippi Division.

Comments: jeff.johnson@thegazette.com